🍹Happy National Tequila Day! Plus: The best new barbecue in Austin

Happy National Tequila Day! And also, hello, Texas summer 🥵.

We've been cruising through a surprisingly temperate July, but according to Mary Wasson, the American-Statesman newsroom meteorologist, we're likely to hit 100 degrees for the first time in two months today. On the bright side, a frozen marg on a patio is Austin's favorite version of hot/cold therapy, and Austin bars are serving up deals today 😎.

Thankfully, the triple-digit heat isn't going to linger ( this time). As tropical moisture moves in over the weekend, temps will return to the manageable low to mid-90s, with rain chances ranging from 30 to 40 percent.

"It likely won’t be enough to cancel any outdoor plans, but be prepared to dodge a few heavy downpours," Mary tells us.

Read on for where to find National Tequila Day deals, how to catch free music at Hot Summer Nights or free art at The Contemporary, the best new barbecue in Austin and much more.

🍹Happy National Tequila Day

Do we find the machinations of the national day makers (marketers) who try to convince us it's the perfect moment to celebrate red velvet cake, white cheddar popcorn or sandwich meat silly? Yes. Are we mad that their salute to Austin's favorite agave extract has inspired bars around town to slush up a slew of drink specials? No, not at all.

Our dining and nightlife correspondent Ana Gutierrez rounded up the creative tequila and mezcal cocktails Austin bars have on tap to mark the occasion . By the time you read this, it will certainly be 5 p.m. somewhere.

🎸Free music! Free art! Free fun!

The Red River Cultural District's annual Hot Summer Nights bash kicks off tonight. Over the next three days, more than 140 local bands will play free concerts at 18 downtown music venues including Stubb's BBQ, the Mohawk and Swan Dive. Music curious? This is an incredible opportunity to sample the sounds of our city. Our music writer Mars Salazar digs into the history of the festival in the heart of Austin's downtown music scene and why club owners are hopeful that changes to the South by Southwest Music Festival could benefit them next year.

🎨 Prefer free art: Beat the Texas heat at The Contemporary Austin's Free Week

🍖We found the best new barbecue in Austin (plus more small bites)

When our restaurant critic Matthew Odam took a buddy from the Boot to Louisiana-inspired Parish Barbecue, his friend was dubious.

"The state isn’t known for its standout barbecue restaurants," Matthew writes. "But, Parish, named in honor of Louisiana’s unique moniker for civil divisions, isn’t about replicating the famed smoked meats of Texas’s neighbor to the east; it’s about bringing Cajun flavors and personal narrative to the plate."

From brisket dressed with Louisiana Hot Sauce to delicious pulled duck and smoked ham, the trailer behind Batch Craft Beer & Kolaches served enough stellar flavors for Matthew to anoint it the best new barbecue joint in Austin.

More small bites:

• 🐄 More beef: Top chefs from Texas, Oklahoma face off in BBQ throwdown; Aaron Franklin hosts a series of pop-ups at Meanwhile Brewing
• 🍧 Austin summers will never be the same after Jim Jim's Water Ice shuts down later this year. No, Jim Jim isn't getting priced out. He's just ready to retire after 31 years in the ice business.
• 🍨 More frozen treats: A new location of New Zealand-style fruit ice cream shop Zed's opens in Westlake tomorrow. The store will be celebrating with free ice cream.
• 🍣 Two food fests this weekend offer opportunities to sample flavors from around the world. Sazón Latin Food Market at South Austin Austin Beer Garden honors the Independence Days of Venezuela, Argentina, Peru, and Colombia with South American flavors on Friday, while New York City-based Japan Fes makes its Texas debut at the Federal Courthouse Plaza downtown on Saturday.
• 🍜 Speaking of global flavors, excellent Mexican/Japanese mashup spot Ramen Del Barrio is moving into a brick-and-mortar restaurant later this year.

Let's stay in touch!

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